I have tried using them before but it seems harder to get good coverage. I am fair as are my family and the best sunscreen for us is Bullfrog 45.(it is in a grey bottle with a blue top) My kids don't really like it because it is an alchohol gel and they don't like the smell. The nice thing is it dries in seconds and gives great coverage so you don't have any of the white creamy lotion feeling. It does however smell like you are putting Vodka on!!!! We have a boat and are in the sun all summer and I go through tons of bottles. It is also waterproof and sweatproof. I have never burned with it except for a tiny spot that I missed in St. Martin!